Q: I first learned about orchids from reading Nero Wolfe detective books. What can you tell me about his collection?
A: Many orchid enthusiasts found the fictional Nero Wolfe to be one of their earliest inspirations. Rex Stout wrote 33 novels between 1934 and 1975, and orchids were integral to many of the plots. The stories took place predominantly in New York at Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street. The top floor was a greenhouse with three temperature zones and 10,000 orchids.
Stout's first novel, "Fer-de-Lance" (a poisonous, tropical snake), referred to 15 different orchids — many of which were noted by their complete botanical name. For example, specimens of early hybrids Cymbidium Alexanderi (circa 1911) and Laeliocattleya Lustre (circa 1907) as well as naturally occurring species Angraecum sesquipedale (from Madagascar) and Cattleya dowiana aurea (from Colombia) are mentioned.
Each day, the eccentric Wolfe cuts a spray of orchids, places it in a vase on his desk, then goes about solving a crime. His assistant, Archie Goodwin, narrates each case and is often frustrated by the rigid schedule and seemingly excessive time Wolfe spends tending to his massive collection. The brilliant sleuth spends four hours each day, 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., in the "plant room" — often keeping crime witnesses and law-enforcement officials waiting.
Wolfe's interest in orchids went far beyond admiration. He created many hybrids, sowing the seeds and transplanting the tiny plants into community pots.
"The preparation in a hospital operating room for an appendectomy is nothing compared to the fuss of planting a batch of orchid seeds," Stout wrote in a 1963 article for Life magazine about why Nero Wolfe likes orchids. "Buying a dozen or so orchid plants and keeping them going and blooming in a house or apartment is no trick at all, but hybridizing is a career."
The fictional detective grew orchid species and hybrids of all types, not just the popular ones. Phalaenopsis aphrodite, a cute white miniature from the Philippines, is mentioned more than any other. It stays in bloom for three months and is one of the building blocks in today's compact hybrids.
In other books within the series, species of common genera Dendrobium, Miltonia, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Vanda play a role. Still other novels contain obscure genera, such as Calanthe, Cochlioda, Coelogyne, Laelia, Lycaste, Odontoglossum, Renanthera and Zygopetalum. Readers would have to do a little detective work to fully grasp these horticultural idiosyncrasies.
The author died in 1975 at age 88, but many of his novels still can be found and are fascinating reading for detective buffs and orchid hobbyists.
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